Pages

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Re T (A Child: Murdered Parent): The approach of the court remains the same

The case Re T (A Child: Murdered Parent) [2011] EWHC B4 (Fam), reported on Bailii today, considered an issue that does not seem to have been considered in any previously reported case: an application for a contact order by a father who had been convicted of the manslaughter of the mother.

The facts: The father and mother had a relationship together over a period of some four years. There are 3 children of the relationship: T, who is now aged 8, J now aged 12 and K now aged 10.

On 3rd February 2005 the father stabbed the mother, who died from her injuries. The father was charged with the mother's murder. On 16th August 2005 he was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He was made the subject of orders under sections 37 and 41 Mental Health Act 2003.

Immediately following the mother's murder all three children were placed in local authority foster care. The mother's sister ('MS') and her then partner put themselves forward as long-term carers for all three children, and the children were placed in their care. They then sought special guardianship orders, which were made on 3rd September 2007. The order recorded an agreement that the father could have indirect contact with all three children by way of cards sent three times a year, and provided that face to face contact between the father and the children should be at the discretion of the MS. The father has not had face to face contact with T since he was first remanded in custody.

I will not go into the detail of the aftermath of the murder and the father's mental health; this is set out fully in the judgment.

On 1st May 2010 the father issued an application for contact with T. The application was opposed by MS, and by T's guardian ad litem, the National Youth Advocacy Service ('NYAS'). MS made a cross-application for an order under section 91(14) Children Act 1989 preventing the father from making any further applications in respect of T without the leave of the court.

Held: The judge (who is not named in the report) began his/her discussion (at paragraph 60) by making it clear that the approach of the court remains the same as in any other application by a parent for contact with his child:

"Whatever may be the twenty-first century equivalent to the proverbial man on the Clapham omnibus, he or she would likely be very surprised to learn that a parent who has murdered the other parent should nonetheless be entitled to make an application for contact with his child and even more surprised to be told that the court will not dismiss that application out of hand. However, I am satisfied that that is the position in law. ... There is no presumption that when one parent murders the other the offending parent has to surmount a prima facie barrier of no contact. As a matter of principle, murder of itself cannot constitute a bar to contact. It is one factor – albeit a profoundly significant factor – in the difficult and delicate balancing exercise of discretion. That exercise must begin with a welfare checklist analysis."

The judge then considered the checklist factors and concluded (at paragraph 70) that: "the outcome of the welfare checklist analysis leaves me in no doubt that there should be no contact of any kind between [the father] and T."

The judge then moved on to consider the s.91(14) application. The application was not opposed by the father, but there remained the issue of the length of time for which the order should remain in force. The father, supported by the NYAS caseworker, contended that it should last until T's thirteenth birthday. MS contended that it should last until T's 16th birthday. The judge came to the conclusion (at paragraph 72) that in the exceptional circumstances of the case the longer period was more appropriate.

The judge then considered the interface between these proceedings and those before the Mental Health Tribunal, which had imposed an exclusion zone upon the father, preventing him from approaching within a 25 mile radius of MS's home. The judge considered (at paragraph 84) that in the exceptional circumstances of the case such an exclusion zone order was both proportionate and reasonable.

Accordingly, the court made the following orders (paragraph 86): that the father's contact application be dismissed; that there shall be no contact between the father and T; that pursuant to s.91(14) Children Act 1989 the father shall not, without the leave of the court, make any further application to the court for an order under s.8 Children Act in respect of T before 21st November 2018; and that there shall be an injunction mirroring the conditions imposed by the Mental Health Tribunal, that injunction to remain in force until further order.

* * * * *

UPDATE: The report has now been amended, to include the identity of the judge, His Honour Judge Clifford Bellamy.

4 comments:

A general point:As the advocates, medical professionals and social workers are named in the judgement, should not the Judge too? Anonymous judges and "justice" - when have they ever gone together in a democracy?

When he gets out, he should have residency, instead he doesn't even get allowed to send them birthday cards, that's rubbish.

If it were the other way round, the Judge would say that any issues between the parents should stay that way and not affect ability of Mother to parent her children. Really quite tiring how appaulingly bias these Judges are.

I add that I don't know the details of the killing and feel sorry for the family's loss. There are no winners here, but just think this goes against the father's rights. As for the mother's rights, that is a separate issue. Illustrates the bias of the family courts against men and fathers as I say.

Before posting comments about the alleged bias of the courts against fathers it may well be of benefit to all to actually read the judgement. The link is on the web page but is here in full http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2011/B4.html.

Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post. Constructive comments are always welcome, even if they do not coincide with my views! Please note, however, that comments will be removed or not published if I consider that:* They are not relevant to the subject of this post; or* They are (or are possibly) defamatory; or* They breach court reporting rules; or* They contain derogatory, abusive or threatening language; or* They contain 'spam' advertisements (including links to any commercial websites).Please also note that I am unable to give advice.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this blog should be construed as legal advice. If you require legal advice upon any family law related matter then you should consult a solicitor. Any links to other blogs or web sites are provided for convenience only and I cannot accept any responsibility for the contents of such linked blogs/sites.